Stoma button and filter



July 11, 1967 V, C, H9215.; 3,330,271

STOMA BUTTON AND FILTER Filed July 30. 1964 United States Patent O M' 3,330,271 STOMA BUTTON AND FILTER Vincent C. Hozier, Los Angeles, Calif., assigner to Vincent C. Hozier, Jr., Los Angeles, Calif. Filed July 31), 1964, Ser. No. 386,353 3 Claims. (Cl. 12S-140) In general, the present invention relates to a stoma button. More particularly, the present invention relates to a stoma button adapted to fit and be supported solely by a trachea neck stoma formed as a result of a laryngectomy.

Modern surgical techniques have permitted the treatment of cancer of the larynx by radical surgery which includes removal of the larynx and the formation in the neck of a stoma directly connecting the trachea to the exterior of the body. However, as a result of such operation, the patient must learn to live with such trachea neck stoma and keep it open at all times since it represents the sole passageway of air into the trachea. Thus, if the stoma is left unattended, it tends to grow closed over a period of time. Also, not only does the body moisture tend to escape through the stoma, but also undesirable foreign objects may enter therethrough. Consequently, the laryngectomee customarily wears not only a stoma tube which is a curved tube extending into the trachea with a large outer flange resting against the neck and suspended about the neck by a string, but also a bib about the neck. Such devices have a substantial number of disadvantages which cause their wearer discomfort and embarrassment. For example, the usual stoma tube tends to irritate and cut the internal surface of the trachea. Also, the stoma tube, particularly its outer ange, interferes with the neck movement and prevents the wearer from sleeping in certain positions. Moreover, the use of the stoma tube causes the wearer to eject an embarrassing jet of air when speaking and to dry out portions of the trachea adjoining the internal end of the tube. Furthermore, the use of a bib directs attention to the wearers physical disability thereby causing unnecessary embarrassment. More important, the bib must be worn very carefully to prevent its plugging of the stoma or stoma tube and must be kept carefully clean at all times in order to prevent it from becoming a source of foreign matter which tends to enter the stoma due to its position adjacent to the stoma.

Consequently, an object of the present invention is a stoma button adapted to fit and be supported solely by the trachea neck stoma without hampering neck movement.

Another object of the present invention is a stoma button adapted to protect `both the trachea and the space externally adjoining the neck without substantially interfering with the passage of air therebetween.

Still another object of the present invention is a light, compact stoma button which holds the stoma open while forming a neat, unobtrusive frame about the stoma.

Still another object of the present invention is a simple, economical stoma button adapted to be easily used and kept clean.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description and drawings which illustrate a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In general, the present invention involves a stoma button comprising a sleeve having an external diameter substantially equal to the normal diameter of a trachea neck stoma and a length in the range of about 1/2 to 3% inch. Adjoining the inner end of the sleeve is an outwardly extending inner flange adapted to be inserted through the stoma and to inhibit the removal of the stoma button from the stoma. Similarly, adjoining the 3,339,271 Patented .luly 1l, 1967 lCC outer end of the sleeve is an outwardly extending outer flange adapted to seat on the neck area adjoining the stoma and to prevent the complete insertion' of the stoma button into the trachea. Removably mounted over one end of the sleeve is a filter cloth which is clamped onto said sleeve. Mounted on the flange adjoining the filter cloth is a removable retainer ring adapted to clamp the filter cloth onto the sleeve with the retainer ring being held by such flange.

In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to the appended drawings of a preferred specific embodiment of the present invention. Such drawings should not be construed as limiting the invention, which is properly set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is a schematic representation of the preferred embodiment of the stoma button of the present invention when mounted in a trachea neck stoma.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the stoma button of FIG. 1.

FiG. 3 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along lines 3 3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the retainer ring portion of the present invention.

As illustrated in FlGS. 1-3, the stoma button 1t) of the present invention comprises a sleeve 11 having an external diameter substantially equal to the normal diameter of the stoma and a length in the lrange of about 1/2 to 3.4i inch. Due to such dimensions, the stoma button seats comfortably in the stoma without substantially contacting the adjoining area of either the trachea or the neck. Furthermore, such arrangement permits complete freedom of neck movement without irritation to the inner surface of the trachea or the adjoining area of the neck. The wall 12 of the sleeve 11 has a thickness of about 1/32 inch in order to maximize the opening between the trachea and the exterior of the body and minimize the over-all weight of the stoma button 1l). Adjoining the inner end 13 of the sleeve 11 is an outwardly extending inner flange 20 adapted to be inserted through the stoma and to inhibit the removal of the stoma button 10 from the stoma. The external surface 21 of the inner flange 20 has a substantially rounded longitudinal cross section such as the spherical c-ross section illustrated in FIG. 3. Adjoining the outer end 14 of the sleeve 11 is an outwardly extending outer flange 3ft which is adapted to seat on the neck area adjoining the stoma and to prevent complete insertion of the stoma button into the trachea. The external surface 3l of the outer flange 30' has a substantially rounded longitudinal cross section adjoining its inner end 32 such as, for example, the spherical cross section illustrated in FIG. 3. The internal surface 34 of the outer flange 3G tapers inwardly from the periphery of the outer end 35 of the outer flange 30. With such arrangement the effective outer opening of the stoma ybutton is greatly increased in size over the internal diameter of the sleeve.

Removably mounted over the outer end 14 of the sleeve 11 is a filter cloth 4t) which functions not only to prevent the entrance of foreign matter into the stoma but also acts -as a diffuser. Thus, when air is expelled through the stoma, the combination of the tapered outer ange 30 and filter mounted thereon causes the air to diffuse over a wide pattern rather than forming a concentrated jet of air. Similarly, the air entering the stoma tends to diffuse over a wide area and thus does not excessively dry portions of the trachea adjacent to the stoma button. Removably mounted on the outer sleeve flange 30, adjoining the filter cloth 49, is a retainer ring 50. The retainer ring 5t? is adapted to clamp the filter cloth 40 onto the sleeve 11, more particuarly the outer sleeve ange 30, and to be held by the outer sleeve flange 30. The retainer ring 50 has an inwardly extending flange 51 which is adapted to seat against the outer end 35 of the outer sleeve ange 30 and thus properly position the retainer ring 50 on the outer sleeve ange 30. Furthermore, the retainer ring 50 is castellated around its outer end 53 to prevent blocking the entrance to the stoma button by an larticle of clothing Vsuch as `a tie.

The sleeve 11, the inner ange 20, and the outer 'ange 30 of the stoma button 10 are preferably formed out of an integral piece of plastic. A plastic which has been found particularly useful in connection is a castyacrylic resin. Similarly, the lter cloth 40 is formed out of a smooth, nonsheding fiber material. A material which has been found particularly useful is nylon, and simple nylon organdy lter cloth forms a suitable filter. The retainer ring is preferably formed out of metal.

An example of the stoma button of the present invention is a stoma button having a length of 3%; inch with an external sleeve diameter of Aapproximately 1/z inch and a sleeve wall thickness of approximately 1/32 inch. The inner ange extends outwardly about $46 inch and has a length of about 1/8 inch. 'Ihe outer flange extends outwardly about 1/8 inch and has a length of about I; inch. The internal surface of the outer flangeV tapers inwardly at approximately a 45 angle from the axis of the stoma button. The retainer ring is approximately 1/8 inch long with an internal diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the outer sleeve ange. The retainer ring has an outer ange which extends inwardly about g2 inch.

Y The castellations around the outer end are formed by four equally spaced prongs extending outwardly about 1A; inch and having a length of about 1A inch.

An alternate embodiment of the retainer ring is illustrated in FIG. 4 where the retainer ring 150 has lan in wardly extending outer flange 151. However, the outer surface of the retainer ring is smooth.

To use the stoma button of the present invention, the retainer ring is placed on a flat surface with its flanged end down. The lter is then positioned centrally on the ring. Then the outer liange of the stoma button is pressed down rmly into the ring so that the filter is securely clamped therebetween. The stoma button is then inserted into the neck simply by tilting the axis of the stoma button at an angle to the axis of the stoma and then inserted into the stoma with the inner flange temporarily spreading the edge of the stoma to permit such insertion. Upon insertion, the axis of the stoma button is then aligned with the axis of the stoma. Removal of the stoma button is accomplished merely by reversing the same sequence. The nylon lter can be 'conveniently released from the stoma button merely by pressing at its center with the tip of the iinger.

VSuch action causes the ring to slip otf yand the filter cloth to come free.

yMany other specific embodiments of the present inven- V tion will be obvious to one skilled in the art in View of this disclosure. For example, the outer end of the retainer ring need not be castellated as illustrated in FIG. 4 where the wearer of the stoma button is not wearing clothing adjacent to the stoma button. Similarly, the filter, although preferably mounted on the outer end for convenience of accessibility -and simplicity of construction, may be t mounted on the inner flange of the stoma button. Also,

the retainer ring may be made out of the same plastic as the remainder .of the stoma button.

There are many features of the present invention which Yclearly show the signiiicant advance the present invention represents over the prior art. Consequently, only a few of the more outstanding features will be pointed out to illustrate the unexpected and unusual results obtained by the present invention. One feature of the present invention is a stoma button which is adapted to iit and to be supported solely by the trachea neck stoma. Thus, as noted above, the stoma button does not 'contact or irritate either the adjoining areas of the trachea or the neck and permits full freedom of neck movement. Consequently, the wearer of the stoma button may sleep in any position. Another -feature of the present invention is that the stoma button forms an enlarged port at its outer end with a lter mounted thereover. Thus, it protects the space externally adjoining the neck from a unpleasant jet of air land also protects the adjoining area of the trachea from Vexcessive drying. In addition, such arrangement increases the available lter area so that any plugging in minimized and protects the iilter so that it remains clean over prolonged periods of time. Still another feature of the present invention is `the light, compact construction of the stoma button which permits it to be easily carried and stored. Similarly, the simple economical construction of the stoma button permits easy mounting and easy replacement of the lilter. Thus, should the stoma button become soiled, it may be simply taken out and sterilized in alcohol or boiling water and the filter completely replaced.

It will be understood that the foregoing description and examples are only illustrative of `the present invention and it is not intended that the present invention be limited thereto. All substitutions, alterations, and modications- Y of the present invention which come within the scope of the following claims or to which the presentY invention is readily susceptible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure are considered part of the present invention. Y

I claim:

1. A light, compact stoma button and lter adapted to Y Y t and be supported solely by a trachea neck stoma without hampering neck movement and to protect both the trachea and the space externally adjoining therneck without substantially Yinterfering with the passage of air therebetween comprising:

. (a) a sleeve having an external diameter substantially equal to the normal diameter of said stoma and a length in the range of about 1/2 to 5% inch;

(b) yan outwardly extending inner ange adjoining the inner end of said sleeve adapted to be inserted through said stoma and to inhibit `the removal of said stoma button from said stoma;

(c) an outwardly extending outer ange adjoining the outer end of said sleeve adapted to seat on the neck area adjoining said stoma and to prevent complete insertion of said stoma button into the trachea;

(d) a lter cloth removably mounted over the periphery if said outer flange; and,

(e) a retainer ring removably mounted over the periphclamp said lter cloth Y retainer ring is castellated around its outed end.V

References Cited OTHER REFERENCES Moore, PlasticrTracheostomy Button, Journal of the American Medical Association, Nov. 9, 1957, vol. 165, No. l0, pp. 1276-77.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primm Examiner. W. E. KAMM, Asssfan'trExaml'ner.

ery of said outer 'ange over said filter cloth, saidV 

1. A LIGHT, COMPACT STOMA BUTTON AND FILTER ADAPTED TO FIT AND BE SUPPORTED SOLELY BY A TRACHEA NECK STOMA WITHOUT HAMPERING NECK MOVEMENT AND TO PROTECT BOTH THE TRACHEA AND THE SPACE EXTERNALLY ADJOINING THE NECK WITHOUT SUBSTANTIALLY INTERFERRING WITH THE PASSAGE OF AIR THEREBETWEEN COMPRISING: (A) A SLEEVE HAVING AN EXTERNAL DIAMETER SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE NORMAL DIAMETER OF SAID STOMA AND A LENGTH IN THE RANGE OF ABOUT 1/2 TO 3/4 INCH; (B) AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING INNER FLANGE ADJOINING THE INNER END OF SAID SLEEVE ADAPTED TO BE INSERTED THROUGH SAID STOMA AND TO INHIBIT THE REMOVAL OF SAID STOMA BUTTON FROM SAID STOMA; (C) AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING OUTER FLANGE ADJOINING THE OUTER END OF SAID SLEEVE ADAPTED TO SEAT ON THE NECK AREA ADJOINING SAID STOMA AND TO PREVENT COMPLETE INSERTION OF SAID STOMA BUTTON INTO THE TRACHEA; (D) A FILTER CLOTH REMOVABLY MOUNTED OVER THE PERIPHERY IF SAID OUTER FLANGE; AND, (E) A RETAINER RING REMOVABLY MOUNTED OVER THE PERIPHERY OF SAID OUTER FLANGE OVER SAID FILTER CLOTH, SAID RETAINER RING BEING ADAPTED TO CLAMP SAID FILTER CLOTH ONTO SAID FLANGE. 